The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-04
CLEvELAND's EXPLANATION.

prlVhto b6CreLAry, OOis LAmou't Weeo
the following explanation Of his fall
ure TO sign the river and harbor bill:
ExEourIvI MANSION.
WARRINGTON, March Y, lbSl'J
To J. D. Danford, ESQ.,, Rock Island, ILL.,;
Ny DEAR SIR-I have received and brought |
10 the attention Of the President your recent |
letter. with articles from the Rock htondtrr
in regard TO the river and hatbor bill, ana |
moro especially In references to the protn-
ion for the hennepin Canal, and ns ga Girs snd
friendly attitude in tn. matter. The
bill was not presented to him until
tho last Gay. Of the session, Ehsn
he was crowded with measures o. an
time TO make such an examination Of It's
provisir ms as was necessary TO enable him 70
Judge Of the necessity and proprieiy OF Tue
appropriations contained in the Pill; VERY
Private Secretary.
This seems to be reasonable. Still,
Il is none the less unfortunate that the
President, who is credited with watch
ing legislation closely, did not regard
measure that, next to the sppropris-
ton bill, is the most serious that is
brought before the House with sui
ficient favor TO strain a point and de-
vote an hour to Its consideration.
There was no bill Of the whole session
more important than this; not one that
involved 90 much to the people Of the
Mississippi Valley, and we venture to
cay that except the tariff no measure
has been 80 much discussed by the
public AZ the improvement OF the
Mississippi river. 1t 10 very unloitu'
nate, especially in view OF the known
hostility OF the East, Of New York
especially, to anything that mskes
for the progress Of the Missis-
sippi Valley. The bill is re-
ported to have been purposely
delayed Notwithstanding the efforts Of
the Congressman from this State, from
Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana,
who did all they could to put it
through on time. 1t is especially un.
fortunate in view Of the impression
John Sherman has insidlously made
OF the Willingness OF the Republicans
to make quick concessions OF sppro-
priatons to the South, in order to as
sist aud hasten the boom now upon
Us. II is unfortunate insomuch
as 1t emphasizes the opposition
Of certain Democrats to any ap
propriations for places south OF the
Potomac and the Ohio, and the
grueging, almost illibersl measure o.
appropriations when they are made
The Dem ocrats in Congress and the
Democratic President, il they woult
save the party intact, must keep be
fore them the fact that the South hal
undergone O radical change in respec
OF business and business relations
The once Confederate STATES az
no longer confined to sugar, rice
hemp, tobacco and cotton. They hsv
walked up to the value Of the gifts o
nature and are taking advantage o
them to relnstste themselves in tn
conditions OF wealth and propert.
they enjoyed before the civil war. Il
those days the strict constructionist
secuted with lordly dignity the ide
Of State accepting Federal aid. Tn
result was that the North and ne1
tie West got all they wanted OF ar
proprlations. Their harbors were in
proved, lighthouses and forts ~er
built and where necessary riprs
work was constructed to overcome tn
defects OF nature. There was sort {
tscit agreement thai the South was
be wholly given up to agriculture an
the North 10 commerce and mani
features. All that sort of child's pls
, has disappeared. The South now h
. large comm rcial and manufacture
a as well as agricultural interests, al
! she demands that her rivers and hs
. bors, 80 long neglected, shall
cared for fully aud prompt
:, by the Federal Government. On II
head shs demands that the words
"a the Democratic platform shall
4 something more than glit!erirg ger
:, ralities. They must be made aetna
n ties by liberal legislation. II they
Ia not, the leaders must prepare for 10
n ca. The bloody shirt no longer wav
Ia sectionslism no longer prevails, a
10 eliintere Il, which has so much to
"a In keeping men together in politi
a organizations, Is beginning to ass
40 its sway. Wise men learn lesso
"A fools never. Sell-interest hes mi
bs the Republican party what 1t is al
ha powerful political orgsnizati
nd The Democratic party can
much longer be held together
mere sentiment. The strict consh
tionista aud the stupidity rigid eco
Al mists must go to the rear II we ar
~ retain our majoritiee.